Volvo’s Auto-Braking Detection Brakes for Cyclists

Volvo has already introduced pedestrian airbags and an automated braking system that avoids hitting pedestrians, and now they’ve enhanced their detection system to detect cyclists riding near by. The new system is being called the “Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake,” and it is basically a software upgrade to Volvo’s current Pedestrian Detection system that uses sensors to detect when a pedestrian steps out in front of a car and applies the brakes if the driver doesn’t.

Thanks to more rapid vision processing, the new system has been enhanced to detect cyclists in certain situations, such as one swerving out in front of the car. It uses a dual-mode radar that is integrated into the car’s grille to detect objects in front of the vehicle and calculate the distance to them. A high-resolution camera fitted in front of the rear-view mirror is then used to identify the type of object detected by the radar and calculate their pattern of movement. Then the data from both the radar and camera goes to a central control unit that continuously monitors the traffic situation. Both the radar and camera need to confirm the type of object and whether they are on a collision course before a red warning flashes on the windscreen and the auto brake system is activated, applying full braking power if necessary.

Volvo says the PCDwfab system will be available in its V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models from mid-May in 2013.

Kristie Bertucci

Kristie Bertucci is an L.A.-based writer, who can't live without her MacBook Pro. When she's not writing, she's either reading or shopping (online, of course) and loves lazy days so she can catch up on her DVR-recorded shows and movies. She's definitely a Mac girl, she loves music and is currently on a mission to to have an insane and enviable iTunes library.